Hunter Dickinson could become the latest Kentucky basketball villain

DeMarcus Cousins was a beloved member of the BBN during his one season in Lexington. The rest of the college basketball world, particularly in Louisville and Starkville, hated Boogie with the fire of a thousand suns. It’s been a while since Kentucky has deployed such a polarizing figure, but Hunter Dickinson could fill that void.

Thursday morning we learned Hunter Dickinson will be visiting Kentucky this weekend. The 7-foot-1 Michigan center is the most talented player in the transfer portal. Dickinson is a skilled offensive player that earned All-American honors in 2021 and was an All-Big Ten selection in each of his three seasons with the Wolverines.

The average college basketball fan knows Dickinson is an exceptional talent. Kentucky fans even got to see it up close when the Wildcats defeated Michigan in London in December. What you might not realize unless you’re a Big Ten fan, is Hunter Dickinson is one of the most reviled athletes in the sport. He is the kind of college basketball player you hate, unless he’s on your team.

Hunter Dickinson Talks Trash and Backs it Up

Hunter Dickinson had this to say about the Wisconsin Badgers basketball program on a Barstool Sports podcast. “Wisconsin, they’re just,” he spent seconds searching for the right words, “scumbags.” He arrived to the first meeting with the Badgers wearing a ski mask because “we are going to steal a win.” It did not work for the Wolverines in Madison, but things changed in Ann Arbor.

Weeks later he hit a three-pointer as time expired to force overtime. The Wolverines won the game and burst Wisconsin’s NCAA Tournament bubble. It’s all-time great villain behavior.

Dickinson did not share his disdain exclusively for Wisconsin. His villainy does not discriminate.

In 2022 Michigan State handily beat Michigan in East Lansing. In the win Tom Izzo was a little too preachy for Dickinson’s liking. When the Spartans traveled to Ann Arbor for the season finale, Dickinson had 33 points, 9 rebounds and four blocked shots in a 17-point Michigan victory. After the win he celebrated on Twitter.

January.
February.
Martelli.

— Hunter Dickinson (@H_Dickinson24) March 2, 2022

Villains are good for the sport, and Kentucky

There are some folks who believe you should let your play on the court do the talking. I am not one of those folks. Regardless of your stance on trash-talk, your favorite Wildcats did just that.

P.J. Washington snarled after bullying opponents in the paint. Tyler Herro told an opponent, “I’m a bucket” before sinking a shot from the free throw line. Arkansas fans seemed to have a bounty on Malik Monk’s head for leaving his home state to play for the Wildcats. Jamal Murray slung a bow and arrow after burying a three. Anthony Davis screamed “THIS IS MY S**T!” into the Superdome as he dominated UofL in the Final Four.

Hunter Dickinson may decide to go to Kansas, Maryland or Georgetown, but if he ends up at Kentucky, he’ll bring an edge and a reputation that will make the Wildcats one of the most hated teams in college basketball. They’ll hate us cause they ain’t us.